Side Story: The Green Fairy (5)

“I don’t know what you mean, but there’s nothing you can do to help me.”

“There is. You’re planning to escape soon, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“I know everything. You’re in trouble because of that lord who’s after you, right? Am I wrong?”

“How… How do you know that? Ah!”

Yvonne, clearly shocked, began spilling her secrets. Though she quickly covered her mouth, it was too late.

“It’ll be hard to escape on your own. The road to Verno won’t be easy either. So let me help you. I’ll help you settle down.”

Liam was unaware that he was revealing far too much information, inadvertently raising Yvonne’s suspicions.

Had Liam been more composed or prepared for this meeting, things might have gone differently.

But in his current state—far from sober and caught off guard by their sudden encounter—he spoke recklessly.

His words left Yvonne deeply frightened.

‘How does this man know my situation?’

After all, the only person aware of her circumstances was Emma. Even Emma didn’t know where Yvonne planned to go.

Yet here was a man she’d never met before, presumably a noble, who not only knew about her escape plan but also her destination. It was terrifying.

She wanted to run away immediately, but her opponent was a strong adult man. He could catch her easily.

Moreover, causing a scene wouldn’t benefit her in any way. So she decided to resolve the situation as calmly as possible. Judging by his demeanor, he seemed reasonable enough to communicate with.

“I don’t know why you’re so certain, but I have no such plans. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

“Yvon.”

Liam’s call made Yvonne flinch. First, because it was disconcerting to hear her nickname spoken so casually by someone other than Emma or Philip. Second—

“Please, let me help you.”

His voice was unbearably earnest. Even without seeing his expression, Yvonne could feel his desperate plea.

‘Why?’

Yvonne couldn’t understand him. Overwhelmed by questions, she uncharacteristically asked him directly.

“Why are you offering me such kindness? Why would you do that?”

“Because I…”

Because I love you.

He wanted to confess, but the last shred of reason kept his lips sealed. If he said such a thing, Yvonne would surely run away.

“Because I… I…”

“…?”

“Because I know your relatives.”

“What?”

“Your relatives belong to the Debroge Viscount family. I’m on friendly terms with them. I’ve heard a lot and even received a request from them. They said they haven’t received letters from your mother in a while… They asked me to look into it while I was here.”

“My relatives are nobles?”

“Technically, only your cousin and her father. Your mother’s side is indeed commoners. She just married into a noble family.”

“That’s…”

“Anyway, I came down here at their request, only to hear about that lord bothering you. That’s why I spoke up. I’m sorry for startling you.”

Though his explanation was roundabout, he managed to make it sound plausible. Whether Yvonne believed him was another matter.

As Liam nervously awaited her response—

“Can I trust you, Monsieur?”

Success.

“Of course. Don’t worry and trust me.”

Her softened tone made Liam inwardly cheer. He’d have to clean up the mess caused by his lie, but for now, he was relieved to have won her trust.

“I can’t leave immediately… But in a few days, let’s leave here together.”

Liam carefully took Yvonne’s hand. Perhaps his sincerity reached her, for this time she didn’t pull away or ask him to let go.

Thanks to this, Liam was able to hold her small hand tightly. It wasn’t entirely soft. Likely due to her work as a maid, her hands were rough. Yet he liked this hand.

“I swear on everything I have—I’ll get you to Verno safely.”

Yes. Once they reached Verno, he’d find a way to make things right.

Debroge Viscount was a man obsessed with canal rights, so Liam planned to reveal that he was the grandson of the Arthus Family, silence him for the time being, and entrust Yvonne to his care.  

Afterward, Liam would visit his grandfather, persuade him to let him inherit the Arthus Family estate, and then return to the Conrad Family to formally renounce his ties to the family.  

If he inherited the Arthus estate, he could propose to Yvonne… but was that the right thing to do? Could someone like him even do that?  

The flow of his plans came to an abrupt halt, as if he had been doused with cold water. His thoughts spun in confusion.  

But Liam’s musings did not last long. They were interrupted by Yvonne’s words.  

“Then, Monsieur, I’ll trust you this once.”  

Yes. Getting to Verno was the priority. For now, he would focus solely on that.  

Liam resolved firmly to push aside his worries and thoughts.  

After sending Yvonne away, Liam grew restless.  

What if Yvonne didn’t trust him and ultimately fled? What if she later found out his name and became overly wary of him? Such thoughts plagued him.  

Although Liam had reformed his reckless behavior after meeting Yvonne following his expulsion from the Arthus estate, that was a matter of the future.  

At this point in time, Liam was still the third son of the Conrad Family, infamous for his debauchery. A disgrace to the family, a hopeless scoundrel, a stain on the Conrad name…  

“D*mn it. Why couldn’t I go back further than two years? Why not all the way to my youth so I could live properly from the start?”  

He hadn’t expected to regret his past indulgences in this way.  

Moreover, he began to wonder how long this dream would last. What if he woke up as soon as he fell asleep and returned to reality?  

Liam realized belatedly that Eris had told him nothing. She hadn’t explained how to use the organ, how to wake from the dream, or even the conditions for doing so.  

A chill ran down his spine at the ominous thought. If his assumption was correct, it was too soon to wake up from the dream. At the very least, he wanted to get Yvonne out of Rivette. No, he wanted more than that.  

Driven by anxiety, uncertainty, and a desperate longing, Liam stayed awake all night.  

***

At dawn, Liam spoke to the servant who seemed to have been assigned to him.  

“I want a personal maid assigned to me as well.”  

“Yes, I will arrange that.”  

“Don’t just assign anyone. I want Yvonne to be my maid.”  

“Yes, I will… Wait, Yvonne, you say?”  

“Was that a question?”  

“No, no, of course not…”  

The servant was visibly flustered, unsure of what to do. Judging by his frightened expression, he seemed less concerned about Yvonne and more worried about how to report this to Philip.  

Seeing this, Liam could easily guess how Yvonne had been treated here. The only person who had truly cared for her was Emma, who had been beaten and expelled for standing up for her.  

‘Ah.’  

Right. Philip had beaten her too, hadn’t he?  

Recalling Philip’s actions made Liam feel as though his blood was boiling.  

No, this wouldn’t do. Just as Philip had used his power to oppress Yvonne, Liam needed to show him the taste of power as well.  

“Never mind. I’ll speak to him myself. Tell your master I want to see him.”  

“Understood.”  

When Liam met Philip again, he was quite a sorry sight. Despite attempting to present himself as neatly as possible, he couldn’t hide the lingering effects of his hangover. While Liam wasn’t much better off, he was still in a better state than Philip.  

When Liam faced Philip, he didn’t mince words. He told him directly that he wanted Yvonne to be assigned as his personal maid and that he intended to leave with her.  

Naturally, Philip was shocked. He even had the audacity to criticize Liam and plead his case, but the outcome was already decided.  

In the end, Philip had no choice but to yield. However, he set one final condition.  

“Yvonne is neither a slave nor a commoner. She has her own free will, so we should ask her opinion. If she agrees to go with you, I will respect her decision.”  

Philip’s words weren’t born of respect for Yvonne; they were his last desperate attempt.  

The infamous reputation of the third son of the Conrad Family had reached Rivette Estate, and Yvonne surely knew of it. Philip was confident that Yvonne would never agree to follow such a scoundrel.  

That was Philip’s gamble.  

Liam wasn’t unaware of Philip’s desperate ploy. It was a calculated move, one that had a certain degree of risk. Even Liam couldn’t predict the outcome with certainty.  

In truth, Philip’s gamble could have been dismissed outright. But Liam couldn’t do that. After all, the condition Philip had hinged upon was Yvonne’s “will.”  

In the end, Liam accepted Philip’s condition. And so, Yvonne was summoned to a meeting with both men present.